Small oil patches reported off the coasts of Hikkaduwa and Dodanduwa have been inspected by the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA).
Speaking at a media briefing today (08), MEPA Chairman Samantha Gunasekara said the oil patches were very small in size.
He added that four oil barrels had washed ashore along the coastline, and the oil observed in the sea was likely to be lubricating oil.
Gunasekara said oil samples collected from the affected areas have been sent to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation for further testing.
He noted that it is not yet possible to determine which vessel the barrels originated from, adding that one of the barrels discovered today was severely damaged.
The chairman said the oil patches may have spread from these barrels. He added that the affected areas were cleaned with the support of multiple agencies.
According to MEPA, around 99% of the oil has already been removed.
Gunasekara also said a shoe and a part of a life-saving boat had washed ashore on the Hikkaduwa beach.
MEPA officials also conducted deep-sea observations today, but no new developments were reported.
The authority has been continuously monitoring the coastlines of Hikkaduwa, Seenigama, Dodanduwa, Habaraduwa, Hiniduma and Galle, with assistance from the Sri Lanka Air Force.
Gunasekara said the oil spill was first reported yesterday (07).
He further said MEPA officials are monitoring the situation around the clock, adding that no reports of affected turtles, dolphins or fish have been received so far. (Newswire)
